2000StreetRod
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- May 26, 2009
- Messages
- 10,597
- Reaction score
- 334
- City, State
- Greenville, SC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 00 Sport FI, 03 Ltd V8
Stuck with stock
The photo below illustrates why it is necessary to remove links in multiples of two when shortening the timing chain.
One link consisting of two sections of two metallic strips is attached with a pin to the next link consisting of three sections of strips - single outers and double middle.
I realized today that I can determine if removing two links is possible without taking apart the chain. A single link of chain corresponds to one tooth of the sprocket. So I installed the jackshaft and loosely attached the old rear jackshaft sprocket and chain. Then I just installed the chain on the camshaft sprocket shortened one tooth as shown below.
Next I tried to install the camshaft sprocket with the chain shortened two teeth (two chain links) as shown below.
Even stretched taught and with no guide assembly I could not seat the camshaft sprocket onto the camshaft. So now I'm convinced that shortening the chain is not feasible and I can proceed with assembling the engine using the latest Ford cassette as soon as it arrives.
The photo below illustrates why it is necessary to remove links in multiples of two when shortening the timing chain.
One link consisting of two sections of two metallic strips is attached with a pin to the next link consisting of three sections of strips - single outers and double middle.
I realized today that I can determine if removing two links is possible without taking apart the chain. A single link of chain corresponds to one tooth of the sprocket. So I installed the jackshaft and loosely attached the old rear jackshaft sprocket and chain. Then I just installed the chain on the camshaft sprocket shortened one tooth as shown below.
Next I tried to install the camshaft sprocket with the chain shortened two teeth (two chain links) as shown below.
Even stretched taught and with no guide assembly I could not seat the camshaft sprocket onto the camshaft. So now I'm convinced that shortening the chain is not feasible and I can proceed with assembling the engine using the latest Ford cassette as soon as it arrives.